The RAB Note: Why was it addressed specifically to The Dark Lord?

To the Dark Lord
I know I will be dead long before you read this
but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret.
I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can.
I face death in the hope that when you meet your match
you will be mortal once more.
R.A.B.

I ask why RAB seemed to think it would be Voldemort who would discover this note. Why would Voldemort ever go back to the cave? To even get the locket and thus the note, he would have to drink the terrible potion, why would he do that? Unless of course you argue that the creator of the potion/Horcrux/etc designed a loophole for himself if he ever needed to return and move the locket (if the original cave horcrux was indeed a locket), but Voldemort is arrogant, he would never believe that he’d have to retrieve it and hide it again. Unless RAB visited the cave, took the Horcrux, left the note and went on to die not so long before Harry and Dumbledore visited, then we can safely say that Voldemort didn’t really have a way of detecting whether this particular Horcrux would have left the cave or not. If he didn't know that it was gone, he wouldn't go back and check.

So why would he go back? Why in the name of anything that’s worth naming did RAB ever imagine that Voldemort would take it into his mind to go back to the cave and check on his Horcrux, only to discover a fake with a note addressed to him inside it? It just doesn’t make sense to me. I have no theory, so I present my confusion in the hope that someone else may join together whatever dots may exist here.

i read that tiwce and barley understood it lol im guessing the R.A.B is a death eater cos we only noticed that de call voldemort the dark lord. second im also guessing that voldemort made some sort of loophole that only he could get the horcrux without drinking the potion adn to answer your question as dumbldore said the horcruxes arnt very well known im guessing rab is thinking that no 1 else knows about them except lord v and that is why it was adressed to " the dark lord" and now i sign off

Good point. Maybe though, RAB hadn't stolen any Horcruxes before and thought that as soon as he'd left the cave, Voldemorts Horcrux sense would tingle and he'd be straight down to check on the Horcrux. And if that were the case, being dumb enough to sign the note, it probably wouldn't be long before RAB was found and killed. Makes me wonder why he left a note at all. But I suppose without that there'd be one less thing to theorise over!

Good point. Maybe though, RAB hadn't stolen any Horcruxes before and thought that as soon as he'd left the cave, Voldemorts Horcrux sense would tingle and he'd be straight down to check on the Horcrux. And if that were the case, being dumb enough to sign the note, it probably wouldn't be long before RAB was found and killed. Makes me wonder why he left a note at all. But I suppose without that there'd be one less thing to theorise over!

I think that that's probably what happened. Most likely RAB did not know if LV would be able to feel if one of his Horcruxes had been removed from its hiding place and/or destroyed. Also, he assumed that he was the only one who knew about LV's Horcruxes, so he probably thought that no one else would come to call anyway.

I suppose he assumed that one day Voldemort would return to the cave because the prophecy would be close to being fulfilled.

Good question, though.

I think it's because RAB thought that Voldemort will recognise when something happens to his Horcruxes and goes to the cave again to look after it.

So why would he go back? Why in the name of anything that’s worth naming did RAB ever imagine that Voldemort would take it into his mind to go back to the cave and check on his Horcrux, only to discover a fake with a note addressed to him inside it? It just doesn’t make sense to me. I have no theory, so I present my confusion in the hope that someone else may join together whatever dots may exist here.

Well I think its like with anything you hide, you sometimes need to go back and check on things. Just to make everything is in order. I do this myself sometimes with some heirloom jewelry I have in my house. Every now and then I do a quick check just to make sure its still there. I would imagine that Voldemort would consider his soul a bit valuable so he might want to go and check on them from time to time. Though I do understand your confusion because I myself am a bit confused. RAB definitely made a lot assumptions when leaving this note. He assumed that Voldemort would return to check on the locket. Quite honestly though, Voldemort is awfully arrogant so why would he even think someone would be clever enough to steal from him. Despite this fact, it still makes sense to me because as I said, I myself do this. What doesn't make sense is that he assumed that Voldemort would pick up the locket. When I check on my jewelry, I usually just check to see if its there. I don't normally pick it up because I can obviously see that it is still there. I also think that if you are going to be bold enough to steal a locket from Lord Voldemort, then you should leave your whole name on the note.

I think it's because RAB thought that Voldemort will recognise when something happens to his Horcruxes and goes to the cave again to look after it.

That sounds reasonable. Even if it's not true that Voldemort can sense when his horcruxes are destroyed, RAB may not have been sure of that. The theory that Voldemort might come back to check on them is reasonable too...I doubt Voldemort would trust anyone but himself to go and check on any of the horcruxes.

Makes me wonder why he left a note at all.

Maybe RAB left a note because he was afraid that Voldemort would blame someone else for the missing horcrux and go after them - RAB may not have wanted someone else to get in trouble.

I belive RAB thought that Voldemort would check on the locket and left one enough diffrent that Lord V would check it over. And open it.

Because he didn't believe that anyone else would either know about it, or the Voldermort would be the only other person to be able to pass the trials to get to it.

What doesn't make sense is that he assumed that Voldemort would pick up the locket. When I check on my jewelry, I usually just check to see if its there. I don't normally pick it up because I can obviously see that it is still there. I also think that if you are going to be bold enough to steal a locket from Lord Voldemort, then you should leave your whole name on the note.

Another thing I've been wondering about is whether the original cave Horcrux was indeed a locket. I read over 'The Cave' chapter last night, albeit rather hastily so I may have missed something, but I don't think Dumbledore was expecting to find the Horcrux hidden within a locket. I didn't re-read any other part of the book though, so please feel free to jog my memory if a locket was mentioned at another time before that point in the book!

I think the only way RAB could have been sure that Voldemort would have picked up the locket, opened it and read his note is if the thing that was originally in the basin wasn't a locket. Upon discovering the unfamiliar object, Voldemort would have certainly picked it up and checked it all over for any clues as to who stole his Horcrux, eventually opening it and finding the note.

Yes, that makes sense to me...:lol:

Because it was the Dark Lord who would understand the full implications(and Dumbledore too)

Another thing I've been wondering about is whether the original cave Horcrux was indeed a locket. I read over 'The Cave' chapter last night, albeit rather hastily so I may have missed something, but I don't think Dumbledore was expecting to find the Horcrux hidden within a locket.
'Which horcrux is it? Where is it?'
'I am not sure which it is - though I think we can rule out the snake -' (HBP Br. ed. p. 511)
It seems you are right, - Dumbledore did not expect the locket in particular.
I think the only way RAB could have been sure that Voldemort would have picked up the locket, opened it and read his note is if the thing that was originally in the basin wasn't a locket. Upon discovering the unfamiliar object, Voldemort would have certainly picked it up and checked it all over for any clues as to who stole his Horcrux, eventually opening it and finding the note.

Yes, that makes sense to me...:lol:
I don't agree. Harry realized quickly upon examining the locket that it wasn't the right one. Voldemort would have discovered even sooner, so it is highly possible that the horcrux was a locket as well.

As for why the note was addressed to the Dark Lord, I don't know. I expect RAB thought that Voldemort would return at some point, and he wanted him to know that he had twarthed him. But, as someone said, it might be to protect someone else as well. If indeed RAB wrote the note... But let's not go into that question here. In another thread, I mentioned that although the Dark Lord's name is on the note, perhaps RAB included all he did in the note (I will be dead, the real horcrux etc.) to give additional information to others, should anyone else manage to get into the cave. Don't know if it makes sense, though.

(HBP Br. ed. p. 511)
I don't agree. Harry realized quickly upon examining the locket that it wasn't the right one. Voldemort would have discovered even sooner, so it is highly possible that the horcrux was a locket as well.


I've just been re-reading part of the book, it seems as though both Dumbledore and Harry knew of a locket somewhere

He [Harry] turned the locket over in his hands. This was neither as large as the locket he remembered seeing in the Pensieve, nor were there any markings upon it, no sign of the ornate S that was supposed to be Slytherin's mark

So Harry saw a locket in the Pensieve that is supposedly a Slytherin heirloom and this is most likely the locket that RAB took. Bugger, and I really liked my idea :lol: Can anyone remember the Pensieve scene where Harry sees the real locket? I find it so tedious flicking through the book for something I can't remember happening!

Can anyone remember the Pensieve scene where Harry sees the real locket? I find it so tedious flicking through the book for something I can't remember happening!
At your service!

HBP Br. hardback p.196 (ch: The House of Gaunt):
With a howl of rage, Gaunt ran towards his daughter. For a split second, Harry thought he was going to throttle her as his hand flew to her throat; next moment, he was dragging her towards Ogden by a gold chain around her neck.
'See this?' he bellowed at Ogden, shaking a heavy gold locket at him, while Merope spluttered and gasped for breath.
'I see it, I see it!' said Ogden hastily.
'Slytherin's!' yelled Gaunt.
HBP Br. hardback p.245 (ch: The Secret Riddle):'...She said the locket had been Slytherin's. [...] it had his mark all right...'
There may be more mentionings of it, but those are the two I could remember just now.

Horcruxes make you immortal. With me so far? Now, R.A.B though that there was only one Horcrux. So as soon as it was gone Voldemort would be aging again like a normal human and eventually discover that he is mortal again.

Do we know that his current body doesn't age?
It's a very good point, actually. But what we know about horcruxes is that they contain a piece of soul, thus the soul won't die if the body does. I don't think we can automatically assume that the body won't age either. Maybe the problem about immortality is that once you've achieved it, you need a new body every now and then...

Did I suddenly go off-topic?

Horcruxes make you immortal. With me so far? Now, R.A.B though that there was only one Horcrux. So as soon as it was gone Voldemort would be aging again like a normal human and eventually discover that he is mortal again.

That doesn't matter. I want to know why RAB addressed the Dark Lord so directly. Why does it matter that he knows it was RAB who stole the Locket Horcrux? I think the answer lies in who RAB is and what the circumstances of his transfer to Anti-Voldemort-Mode are. If there was a massive to-do between RAB and Voldemort previously, then that makes this note all the more personal and biting.

Though I think, as someone suggested earlier, that there may be a chance that RAB could have been trying 'get a message' to someone else. If so, who? My thoughts go to another DE who may be working against Voldemort secretly. If RAB is Regulus Black and the other DE I speak of is Severus Snape, then I say this is a plausible theory. Actually, it does rather make sense, why would RAB even mention 'Horcrux' in his note? Unless I'm mistaken, Severus doesn't know anything about the Horcruxes. Perhaps RAB gave Severus/the bent DE a tip-off about something that could help bring down the Dark Lord. No elaborate plans made previously; the less you know, the safer you are. Severus is good at Occlumency and I still believe his intentions are Anti-Voldy, so he seems a likely candidate for 'other the bent DE' in this scenario. I think we'll need to draw up a time line for the death of Regulus Black (assuming he is RAB) and Severus's cross over to the Order if anyone wants to further explore that idea.

Anyway, very speculative, very off-topic - and there's also a massive con to this idea - why wouldn't RAB just send the false Horcrux and note directly to the Dark Lord? And if the bent DE is Severus and he did get a tip off about the cave and the thing inside that could bring the Dark Lord down, why did he never tell Dumbledore about it? Perhaps he thought it was of no significance, committed it to the outermost recesses of his memory, only to be coaxed out of hiding by Dumbledore - how on earth did Dumbledore ever discover that cave in the first place? And what ever made him think there was a Horcrux inside?

I'm going round in big, off-topic circles here :relax:

EDIT: Perhaps RAB and Severus were both in the same boat, they were both given a tip-off by someone else. The race would then be on (assuming they were both aware of each others betrayal to Voldemort). This could also have something to do with the 3rd line of the note: but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. Is RAB gloating? He beat the magnificent, marvellous, fantastically intelligent Snape to it? On the other hand he could be covering for someone as MionesRevenge suggested earlier, and that someone could just be Severus. Could be a minor clue as to why Dumbledore trusted Severus so much. Again, timelines must be consulted

Horcruxes make you immortal. With me so far? Now, R.A.B though that there was only one Horcrux. So as soon as it was gone Voldemort would be aging again like a normal human and eventually discover that he is mortal again.

I agree. Assuming R.A.B is indeed Regulus Black, his naivete would lead him to not only think there was one Horcrux, but also to boldly address the Dark Lord in such a manner. I can see his brother doing something similar. By signing R.A.B, he is revealing the identity of the guy who "duped" Voldemort. A sort of boast.

That doesn't matter. I want to know why RAB addressed the Dark Lord so directly. Why does it matter that he knows it was RAB who stole the Locket Horcrux? I think the answer lies in who RAB is and what the circumstances of his transfer to Anti-Voldemort-Mode are. If there was a massive to-do between RAB and Voldemort previously, then that makes this note all the more personal and biting.
I've been wondering for a while why RAB quit being a DE. Even if you don't think RAB is Regulus (I think he is), we can assume that RAB is a DE or in another way connected to Voldemort - simply because s/he uses "the Dark Lord" in the note, and signs by RAB - which I suppose Voldemort is expected to recognize.

So, if it was Regulus, why did he suddenly turn on Voldemort? And why did he try to contribute to killing Voldemort? If he was to have any chance of getting away alive, he should've just ran for it. But instead he stole a horcrux. We don't know whether RAB expected to be killed because of the horcrux or if there was another reason for it, however. Maybe Regulus knew he'd die anyway, and decided to take as much as possible of Voldemort with him. Either way, something pretty serious must have happened to make Regulus that furious with Voldemort. He didn't just leave him, he outrigth fought him. Maybe the note is meant to be a part of RAB's revenge. ("Well, my dear Dark Lord, you seem to think you're invulnerable. But I discovered your secret. So there! I know I'll die, but I've proven you're not invincible. And I'm confident someone else will come along and finish the job.") Perhaps RAB felt underestimated by Voldemort and decided to prove him wrong?

I might be off-topic again. My apoligies, Briar Filth!

I've been wondering for a while why RAB quit being a DE. Even if you don't think RAB is Regulus (I think he is), we can assume that RAB is a DE or in another way connected to Voldemort - simply because s/he uses "the Dark Lord" in the note, and signs by RAB - which I suppose Voldemort is expected to recognize.
Well I'm beginning to think that RAB is Regulus Black. Too much emphasis was put on it by Harry at the end of the chapter 'Phoenix Lament', by JKR's standards at least. So far as the whole Locket Horcrux thing goes, the mystery does not really lie with who RAB is. JKR is much more subtle with the things that really matter. For now I will assume that RAB is Regulus.

So, if it was Regulus, why did he suddenly turn on Voldemort? And why did he try to contribute to killing Voldemort?
Perhaps Regulus was much more like Sirius than anyone first thought?

If he was to have any chance of getting away alive, he should've just ran for it. But instead he stole a horcrux. We don't know whether RAB expected to be killed because of the horcrux or if there was another reason for it, however. Maybe Regulus knew he'd die anyway, and decided to take as much as possible of Voldemort with him.
Again, much more like Sirius than first imagined. Sirius also believed in dying for the right cause:

'THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!' roared Black. 'DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!'

Either way, something pretty serious must have happened to make Regulus that furious with Voldemort. He didn't just leave him, he outrigth fought him.
I have no idea what this could be, maybe it has something to do with someone he cares about, possibly Sirius.

Maybe the note is meant to be a part of RAB's revenge. ("Well, my dear Dark Lord, you seem to think you're invulnerable. But I discovered your secret. So there! I know I'll die, but I've proven you're not invincible. And I'm confident someone else will come along and finish the job.") Perhaps RAB felt underestimated by Voldemort and decided to prove him wrong?
The underestimation was exactly what I was trying to get at in my post, only I couldn't think of the right word :lol: That's the angle I believe RAB was coming from. You mention RABs confidence in someone else coming along to finish off the job, this is what interests me. He does seems very confident, did he know that there was another like himself? A DE who would seek to destroy his master? I certainly think that Severus has something to do with this.

I might be off-topic again. My apoligies, Briar Filth!
That's okay! Every new thought of mine seems to be off-topic :lol:

I also think RAB is Regulus Black... just to get that out of the way...

I think RAB left that note for Voldemort because he was either planning to do something else (or had already done so) in the fight against Voldemort that would be much more obvious than stealing a Horcrux. So he already knew that he'd be killed for doing that, and just wanted to gloat a little. If that was the case, then that does seem like a very Sirius-ish thing to do.

So, what was it that RAB planned to do? And how could he be so sure that he'd be dead "long before" the note was read? (I think we can rule out suicide) Come to think of it, that's off-topic... it probably belongs in a different thread.

I think RAB left that note for Voldemort because he was either planning to do something else (or had already done so) in the fight against Voldemort that would be much more obvious than stealing a Horcrux. So he already knew that he'd be killed for doing that, and just wanted to gloat a little. If that was the case, then that does seem like a very Sirius-ish thing to do.

So, what was it that RAB planned to do? And how could he be so sure that he'd be dead "long before" the note was read? (I think we can rule out suicide) Come to think of it, that's off-topic... it probably belongs in a different thread.


'Was he killed by an Auror?' Harry asked tentatively.
'Oh, no,' said Sirius. 'No, he was murdered by Voldemort. Or on Voldemort's orders more likely; I doubt Regulus was ever important enough to be killed by Voldemort in person.'

As we know, Sirius is usually wrong about these things which requie a very open mind to understand. He is too biased to be trusted with this quote.

I believe that RAB was killed directly by Voldemort, but for something else as you suggest. He could have done something very 'stupid' but deliberate which lead to his death. This could explain the 3rd line, the underestimation and the gloating tone that we've been discussing.

Well, he must have been destroying the Horcrux for a reason, and if he was addressing it to the Dark Lord, his reason must have been correct. I mean, why else would he journey to the other side of the cave to find the locket, destroy it, and then replace it. He obviously knew what he was doing, and to whom he was doing it to.

'Was he killed by an Auror?' Harry asked tentatively.
'Oh, no,' said Sirius. 'No, he was murdered by Voldemort. Or on Voldemort's orders more likely; I doubt Regulus was ever important enough to be killed by Voldemort in person.'

As we know, Sirius is usually wrong about these things which requie a very open mind to understand. He is too biased to be trusted with this quote.

I believe that RAB was killed directly by Voldemort, but for something else as you suggest. He could have done something very 'stupid' but deliberate which lead to his death. This could explain the 3rd line, the underestimation and the gloating tone that we've been discussing.
:agree: I think Sirius is wrong here too. Not very nice for Regulus, is it - not only does Voldemort underestimate him, but his own brother does so as well! Though it is possible that Regulus never knew that... What we know, is that Slughorn liked Regulus, and that Sirius was a really bright student, so I guess we can safely say that Regulus was a very gifted wizard - which he must have been to get his hands on the locket.

JKR had better get us some backstory on Regulus in Deathly Hallows!

Well, since the Horcrux was Voldemorts, stealing it would only hurt Voldemort, so why not gloat over RAB's acheivement by leaving a note telling Voldemort what he did, and taking credit for it, I would, especially if i knew that I would be dead when he would have found out.

So why would he go back? Why in the name of anything that’s worth naming did RAB ever imagine that Voldemort would take it into his mind to go back to the cave and check on his Horcrux, only to discover a fake with a note addressed to him inside it? It just doesn’t make sense to me. I have no theory, so I present my confusion in the hope that someone else may join together whatever dots may exist here.Leaving a note with the fake horcrux suggests that RAB anticipated Voldemort's return to the cave. Perhaps RAB set in motion something that would have eventually compelled Voldemort to check on his horcrux, but was unable to follow through with the entire plan before he died.

I think that that's probably what happened. Most likely RAB did not know if LV would be able to feel if one of his Horcruxes had been removed from its hiding place and/or destroyed. Also, he assumed that he was the only one who knew about LV's Horcruxes, so he probably thought that no one else would come to call anyway.

I think it is important to note that most Death Eaters are muggle haters and like to wreak havoc on those wizards who feel sympathetic to muggles and muggle borns. They seem to only commit evil acts. It may be that they don't know Voldemort's quest to overthrow death even exists. I suppose to the ordinary Death Eater, they just wanted V. to rule the world and whatnot.

So R.A.B. *probably* realized what V's goal was (and how bad it would be to have someone around who is all-evil and just won't DIE), and thought no one else would try destroy it.

And I'm sure V has the antidote or another way to pass this nasty potion... i mean he was the one who put it there.

At your service!

HBP Br. hardback p.196 (ch: The House of Gaunt):

HBP Br. hardback p.245 (ch: The Secret Riddle):
There may be more mentionings of it, but those are the two I could remember just now.


HBP (US hardback) page 505 ch Horcruxes
"The locket!" said Harry loudly. "Hufflepuff's cup!"
"Yes" said Dumbledore, smiling, "I would be prepared to bet - perhaps not my other hand - but a couple of fingers, that they became Horcurxes three and four."

RAB probably thought that Voldermort would come and check on his horcruxes sometime. I mean, Voldermort should expect that his horcruxes can't remain a secret forever, and should check on them from time to time.

I think that RAB only addressed it to the Dark Lord because he believed he alone knew about the Horcruxes, besides Voldy, of course.

RAB probably thought that Voldermort would come and check on his horcruxes sometime. I mean, Voldermort should expect that his horcruxes can't remain a secret forever, and should check on them from time to time.
Not quite convinced. Voldemort's got a very high opinion of himself. Even if he thought it possible that someone might find out that he had a horcrux, they'd still need to find out that there were several of them, and where they were, and how to get hold of them and destroy them. One of Voldemort's faults is that he underestimates people. I think he did concerning the horcruxes, and the locket in particular.
I think that RAB only addressed it to the Dark Lord because he believed he alone knew about the Horcruxes, besides Voldy, of course.
This makes sense, I guess, but if he didn't expect anyone but LV to read it, then why address it at all? Perhaps he used "the Dark Lord" just to rub in that it was one of Voldemort's own followers who betrayed him?

I have an idea that is probably way off the mark, but I thought I would share it anyway.

The Prophecy states: "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches..."
I believe the author of the note is referencing the Prophecy when addressing the note specifically to the Dark Lord and including that there are hopes that he will be mortal again when he meets his match.

I have an idea that is probably way off the mark, but I thought I would share it anyway.

The Prophecy states: "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord appoaches..."
I believe the author of the note is referencing the Prophecy when addressing the note specifically to the Dark Lord and including that there are hopes that he will be mortal again when he meets his match.
This is one of many places where JKR phrases things in what I believe is not an accidental way. It certainly seems that Regulus thought there would be a special person, one day, who'd be able to kill Voldemort. But - correct me if I'm wrong - someone mentioned in another thread that Regulus died in 1979 while GH happened in 1981. Which places the prophecy in 1980... So unless we're wrong about when Regulus died, he can't have known anything about the prophecy. So no I'm not so sure anymore that the wording is intentional... Oh, well.

:p Well, now I just realized what you must have thought about already: we don't know for sure that RAB is Regulus. Which means that we don't know that the locket was stolen from the cave before or during 1979. Which means we don't know that RAB didn't know about the prophecy... So, if we believe that the wording isn't accidental, and that RAB knew something about there being someone in particular who'd be able to finish Voldemort off, then this is clearly an argument against RAB being Regulus. I've believed all along that RAB is Regulus, so I think I'll just stop thinking out loud straight away and start using my brains instead. :hmm:

R.A.B. most likely figured that no one else knew about the horcruxes, except for himself and Voldemort of course, and therefore no one would ever come across the locket again, except for Voldemort when he was ready to utilize that piece of his soul. R.A.B. wouldn't address it to someone else, because he most likely assumed that no one with the wizarding skill to get to the locket would actually have the common sense to find it in the first place.

Besides, its common courtesy to let some know that you borrowed their property (or their soul). :lol:

:p Well, now I just realized what you must have thought about already: we don't know for sure that RAB is Regulus.

My theories on the note left by RAB go way beyond me not believing Regulus stole the real Horcrux. I am still working on it, but I believe the Prophecy and the note left in the locket are a lot more related than we think.

I think a better question is why was it addressed to him at all? Why bother adressing a note to someone if you know for a fact they would be the only ones to read it? It's not like RAB was worried about addressing someone properly (Dear Aunt Mildred, etc. :)) And with the limited amount of space available on a note, why take up space with a salutation?

My theories on the note left by RAB go way beyond me not believing Regulus stole the real Horcrux. I am still working on it, but I believe the Prophecy and the note left in the locket are a lot more related than we think.
That would be a fascinating twist, in my opinion. I'm looking forward to hearing your theory!

To the Dark Lord
I know I will be dead long before you read this
but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret.
I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can.
I face death in the hope that when you meet your match
you will be mortal once more.
R.A.B.

There are three key points I never noticed before (in bold).

1.) Long - This person doesn't just think he will be dead by the time Voldemort sees this, but dead for a long time. Obviously RAB knows what a horcrux can do for a wizard, and therefore he must assume that Voldemort has other horcruxes, but didn't bother to pass this information along to someone else? Not likely. We have all suspected that RAB had a helper, and I think RAB expected this helper to pass the information along. Since nobody did, then we should assume the helper didn't want to, or was killed before they were able to. If RAB is Regulus, then we can only assume the helper was Kreacher. Kreacher would not have disclosed anything unless ordered to.

2.) Face Death - how is this person facing death? Was destroying the horcrux in the locket going to kill the person in question? If this is the case, and it hasn't been done yet, then won't Harry face that same challenge?

To the Dark Lord
I know I will be dead long before you read this
but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret.
I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can.
I face death in the hope that when you meet your match
you will be mortal once more.
R.A.B.

There are three key points I never noticed before (in bold).

1.) Long - This person doesn't just think he will be dead by the time Voldemort sees this, but dead for a long time. Obviously RAB knows what a horcrux can do for a wizard, and therefore he must assume that Voldemort has other horcruxes, but didn't bother to pass this information along to someone else? Not likely. We have all suspected that RAB had a helper, and I think RAB expected this helper to pass the information along. Since nobody did, then we should assume the helper didn't want to, or was killed before they were able to. If RAB is Regulus, then we can only assume the helper was Kreacher. Kreacher would not have disclosed anything unless ordered to.

Good observation. I agree with you for the most part, except for two things: I don't think we can assume that Kreacher is the only person who could have helped Regulus (If he is indeed RAB). Personally, I think that it would be very unwise of him to trust Kreacher with something like that, even though he can order him to do things - for one thing, we have already seen that orders do not have to be obeyed (remember Dobby in CoS); and for another, there are usually ways to get around orders (As with Sirius in OoP).

(BTW, this is off subject, but I've noticed that Harry did in fact leave a loophole for Kreacher to let Malfoy know he was following him: he didn't forbid Kreacher not to tell someone else to tell Malfoy. Just as an example of how difficult to force a house-elf to be completely cooperative)

The other thing is actually just a question: Why do you think RAB thought there had to be more hocruxes? I could have missed something, but I don't remember any evidence to indicate that...

2.) Face Death - how is this person facing death? Was destroying the horcrux in the locket going to kill the person in question? If this is the case, and it hasn't been done yet, then won't Harry face that same challenge?

I think that RAB had another plan that he was about to set in motion, some other thing he was going to do to fight against Voldemort.

Either that, or he thought that he wasn't going to survive the attack of the Inferi; or he thought the potion was going to kill him, assuming he did drink it.

Another question: When did RAB write the note? Did he write it while he was in the cave? Or did he write it before he went there? (And is that even relevant?)

i read that tiwce and barley understood it lol im guessing the R.A.B is a death eater cos we only noticed that de call voldemort the dark lord. second im also guessing that voldemort made some sort of loophole that only he could get the horcrux without drinking the potion adn to answer your question as dumbldore said the horcruxes arnt very well known im guessing rab is thinking that no 1 else knows about them except lord v and that is why it was adressed to " the dark lord" and now i sign off What?? Don't you think it's Regalus Black???

The other thing is actually just a question: Why do you think RAB thought there had to be more hocruxes? I could have missed something, but I don't remember any evidence to indicate that...
Because he says, I face death in the HOPE that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more. If he is only hoping that Voldemort wil be mortal by destroying this horcrux, then he must suspect there could be other horcruxes to prevent Voldemort from dying when he meets his "match."

I think that RAB had another plan that he was about to set in motion, some other thing he was going to do to fight against Voldemort.
Either that, or he thought that he wasn't going to survive the attack of the Inferi; or he thought the potion was going to kill him, assuming he did drink it.
Another question: When did RAB write the note? Did he write it while he was in the cave? Or did he write it before he went there? (And is that even relevant?)
I think he had to have written the note in the cave, and I do think it's relevant because it opens a whole host of other events that could have happened.

If this wizard had just stumbled on the cave accidentally, there's NO WAY he could have known the cave had been set up to protect a horcrux. For all they knew it was potecting a locket with all sorts of special powers - not specifically a horcrux.

To me, this clearly indicates that RAB found out that Voldemort had made a horcrux and went about trying to find where it was located. He may or may not have known what the horcrux object was, but either way, he wanted to plant a fake with a note, otherwise he could have just taken it and run. If he didn't know what object specifically was used for the horcrux, then he would have had to get the horcrux out of the basin before getting a replacement object to mimic it. This means he would have to either bring a locket (if he knew it was a locket ahead of time) or conjur one up on the spot. My guess is Voldemort was too protective of this secret to talk about it openly with anybody, so I would have to assume that even though RAB disciovered there was a horcrux, I don't think he couldn't know what the object was until he got to the cave. Then having to fit a note of some kind inside the horcrux, would mean fashioning it AFTER he was able to determine how large it could be in order to fit it inside of the object in question.

I think it was addressed to the Dark Lord because he thought that he would be the only one who could have gotten to it. I think he wanted to make his point clear that he was there and that he took it. He did not want there to be any misunderstanding about who took it. As for why I do not know !

Another question: When did RAB write the note? Did he write it while he was in the cave? Or did he write it before he went there? (And is that even relevant?)

In my opinion...Of course it is relevant.

I do not know about all editions, but in the American, paperback edition of HBP, the note is perfectly centered and writen in an artistic hand, especially the R.A.B. letters. It doesn't appear to be something someone did in a rush.
It appears to have been well planned out from the note's appearance to the way it is worded.
I cannot quite get a grip on what I am trying to say, but I'll give it a shot...
I don't think the note was addressed as such because the author of the note commonly referred to Voldemort as the Dark Lord. In my opinion, the fact that it was addressed specifically to the Dark Lord signifies that the writter isn't or wasn't a Death Eater. I am not going to go into who I believe the writer of the note to be, but I will say that I do not believe it is Regulus for many, many more reasons than the note. I cannot get past the thought that there is more to this note than meets the eye.

We have a note with an unknown author and a prophecy with an unknown voice relating to Voldemort's equal (match) and his downfall. In both, Voldemort is specifically referred to as the Dark Lord. I do not believe this is a coincidence. I have two thoughts on the matter. (1) The author of the note knew of the prophecy or, (2) the author of the note is the one channeling through Trelawney to give the prophecies.

Excuse me, I need to correct myself:
This is one of many places where JKR phrases things in what I believe is not an accidental way. It certainly seems that Regulus thought there would be a special person, one day, who'd be able to kill Voldemort. But - correct me if I'm wrong - someone mentioned in another thread that Regulus died in 1979 while GH happened in 1981. Which places the prophecy in 1980... So unless we're wrong about when Regulus died, he can't have known anything about the prophecy. So no I'm not so sure anymore that the wording is intentional... Oh, well.
I've just consulted the book (OotP), and Regulus didn't die in 1979, he died in 1980. Which means that he just might have known something about the prophecy. So, whether or not RAB is Regulus, there may still be a link between the note and the prophecy.

Just for clarification. My apologies.

just because it says dark lord doesnt mean that only a death eater wrote that note. In book 4, when barmy barty crouch snr is in the forest, he addresses voldy as the dark lord, and its quite obvious that hes not a death eater. there must be other examples of this as well, from other characters, but that just goes to show that we shouldnt assume that the writer of that note was a death eater.

That said, i do think its regulus the DE, and hes only gone and addressed it to voldy because he knows that only 4 or 5 wizards in the world would have the ability to access the locket, and of these few, only some actually know about voldys horcruxes, and even fewer would know where to start looking...

Because he says, I face death in the HOPE that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more. If he is only hoping that Voldemort wil be mortal by destroying this horcrux, then he must suspect there could be other horcruxes to prevent Voldemort from dying when he meets his "match."


I could have sworn that I replied to this yesterday! Never mind, I obviously didn't.. but I know I typed out a reply... *sigh* I think I'm going crazy...

Ah! I see what you mean now... excellent catch; I never even noticed that before!
That does change things a bit, doesn't it... Unless, maybe RAB thought that he might be killed before he had a chance to destroy the Horcrux. I don't know... it could be either, I suppose.



I think he had to have written the note in the cave, and I do think it's relevant because it opens a whole host of other events that could have happened.

If this wizard had just stumbled on the cave accidentally, there's NO WAY he could have known the cave had been set up to protect a horcrux. For all they knew it was potecting a locket with all sorts of special powers - not specifically a horcrux.

To me, this clearly indicates that RAB found out that Voldemort had made a horcrux and went about trying to find where it was located. He may or may not have known what the horcrux object was, but either way, he wanted to plant a fake with a note, otherwise he could have just taken it and run. If he didn't know what object specifically was used for the horcrux, then he would have had to get the horcrux out of the basin before getting a replacement object to mimic it. This means he would have to either bring a locket (if he knew it was a locket ahead of time) or conjure one up on the spot. My guess is Voldemort was too protective of this secret to talk about it openly with anybody, so I would have to assume that even though RAB discovered there was a horcrux, I don't think he couldn't know what the object was until he got to the cave. Then having to fit a note of some kind inside the horcrux, would mean fashioning it AFTER he was able to determine how large it could be in order to fit it inside of the object in question.


Interesting. I was kind of leaning toward RAB having written the note before he went in the cave. So, he would have gone about his Horcrux-Hunt in much the same way that Dumbledore did - he knew that there probably was one in that cave. So before he went in, he wrote this note, because he didn't know how dangerous it would be inside.
You say that he had to write the note after seeing what it was, but I don't think that really matters - after all, the note did not fit inside the locket perfectly; it is described as being "wedged" inside.

However, I agree with you that RAB probably not knowing specifically what object that Horcrux was... If he did conjure one, he would have to be a very, very good wizard - don't most conjured objects disappear after a short while? Or maybe he just Summoned the locket, after seeing the real one.

Just a couple of thoughts.

What if Voldemort did not set up the protections on the cave? What if RAB did?

I find it interesting that RAB certainly expected Voldemort to read that note. He expected to be dead before Voldemort reads the note. And he hopes that Voledemort will now be mortal by the time that he read the note.

This may sound off the wall but DD said that the blood sacrifice was crude, very un-voldemort like (while the protections on the ring, which presumably made when Tom was younger and less practiced, made for the ring tale to be "thrilling")

As was pointed out before even if some wizard stumbled into the cave if they weren't a powerful wizard they would never be able to cross in the boat. There is nothing remotely harmfull about the boat itself, it is just a deterrent.

Even the use of the Cave is something that few people except Voldemort could access, again preventing unsuspecting wizards from going there but making it easy for Voldemort.

What if RAB sets up the whole thing, protections, notes, and all...then tells Voldemort that he stole a Horcrux and hid it. Voldemort would torture him for the location, and then kill him (hence why he expected to be dead). The go after the Horcrux himself. He finds the cave easily, of course, and figures out how to cross the lake, and has to drink the potion. Here comes the second part of the note about hoping Voldemort will be mortal, because after drinking the potion Voldemort would be weakened considerably. If RAB had indeed destroyed the real locket, hopefully by the time Voldemort comes to get this locket, the others will have been destroyed as well. If that is the case then Voldemort would be weakened AND mortal. Thus that would be the time for someone to attack him.

The long and short of it was what if it was a trap, designed specifically for Voldemort.

Just a couple of thoughts.

What if Voldemort did not set up the protections on the cave? What if RAB did?

I find it interesting that RAB certainly expected Voldemort to read that note. He expected to be dead before Voldemort reads the note. And he hopes that Voledemort will now be mortal by the time that he read the note.

This may sound off the wall but DD said that the blood sacrifice was crude, very un-voldemort like (while the protections on the ring, which presumably made when Tom was younger and less practiced, made for the ring tale to be "thrilling")

As was pointed out before even if some wizard stumbled into the cave if they weren't a powerful wizard they would never be able to cross in the boat. There is nothing remotely harmfull about the boat itself, it is just a deterrent.

Even the use of the Cave is something that few people except Voldemort could access, again preventing unsuspecting wizards from going there but making it easy for Voldemort.

What if RAB sets up the whole thing, protections, notes, and all...then tells Voldemort that he stole a Horcrux and hid it. Voldemort would torture him for the location, and then kill him (hence why he expected to be dead). The go after the Horcrux himself. He finds the cave easily, of course, and figures out how to cross the lake, and has to drink the potion. Here comes the second part of the note about hoping Voldemort will be mortal, because after drinking the potion Voldemort would be weakened considerably. If RAB had indeed destroyed the real locket, hopefully by the time Voldemort comes to get this locket, the others will have been destroyed as well. If that is the case then Voldemort would be weakened AND mortal. Thus that would be the time for someone to attack him.

The long and short of it was what if it was a trap, designed specifically for Voldemort.

Very well thought out. I think it is a possibility, but I am not sure that Voldemort would have told any DE, except maybe one, about where the horcrux's were hidden. And with it being something so important, wouldn't you think LV would want to put up the protections himself? Doubtless he would feel only HIS powers were strong enough to hold a piece of his soul safe?

Well, it was Voldemort's soul that he was taking.

He probably thought, like Voldemort, that no one else knew how many Horcruxes there were or where they were hidden. He most likely thought that Voldemort was the only other one with any chance of finding the fake horcrux because he was the only one who knew that the real one existed.

I think we need to take a closer look at the note:

I know I will be dead long before you read this
but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret.

I was wondering, what is the secret, is it about the Horcurx. I assumed it was. Why was Regulas so repulsed by the idea of one. I mean why would he put it past Voldermort to make some, he is killer, so why not.

OR

Do you think it is something else that is his secret. Now it has me wondering, what is Voldermort ultimate plan. Could this be the reason why Regulas would risk his life to get the horcurx. Is it that bad that it would turn a Death Eater against him.


I face death in the hope that when you meet your match
you will be mortal once more.

Is this self sacrifice: what will make a death eater do that.

Does he know about the prophacy and what it says?

i guess it was just to make fun of him and rub it in his face that his masterplan was foiled in case he ever came to check on that piece of his soul

I think we need to take a closer look at the note:

I was wondering, what is the secret, is it about the Horcurx. I assumed it was. Why was Regulas so repulsed by the idea of one. I mean why would he put it past Voldermort to make some, he is killer, so why not.

OR

Do you think it is something else that is his secret. Now it has me wondering, what is Voldermort ultimate plan. Could this be the reason why Regulas would risk his life to get the horcurx. Is it that bad that it would turn a Death Eater against him.

Is this self sacrifice: what will make a death eater do that.

Does he know about the prophacy and what it says?

I've always assumed the secret is that Voldy made Horcruxes, but it doesn't have to be that, I suppose. It would be just like JKR to have something like that, that seemed so obvious no one even wondered about it, and then have the "secret" turn out to be something completely different, and important... For now, though I'll just go on assuming that the secret referred to is the Horcruxes, since there is no evidence to the contrary.

It could be about Voldemort's ultimate plan, I suppose... but I think his only major plan is good ole' fashioned world domination. And that wouldn't exactly come as a surprise to any Death Eaters.

I also think that the evidence points to Regulus knowing about the Prophecy. Otherwise, "when you meet your match" would be a pointless (and weird) thing for him to write.

Perhaps because the horcrux belonged to the Dark Lord, and R.A.B. just assumed that only the Dark Lord would be reading it? What else would it be?

What if RAB sets up the whole thing, protections, notes, and all...then tells Voldemort that he stole a Horcrux and hid it.When Dumbledore discovers the chain that brings the boat from the lake he comments that magic always leaves distinctive traces, and as Tom Riddle's former teacher he recognizes the style of magic. Although the blood offering to get into the cave may have been someone else's work I think the protections inside the cave were Voldemort's creation.

Why was the note specifically addressed to the Dark Lord?

At first glance one may say..."Why wouldn't it be, it was the Dark Lord's Horcrux?" Then, some may say, "If the writer of the note was a Death Eater, it makes sense the note would be addressed to the Dark Lord."

I am not so convinced a Death Eater or former Death Eater would use those words in this application. "The Dark Lord" is mostly used by Voldemort's followers out of welcomed or feared respect for his power and how he uses it. I do not see respect for Voldemort in the note at all. Ok, so why "To the Dark Lord?" Here is where my imagination runs wild...

I have speculated that the writer of the note knew that the one to vanquish the Dark Lord was approaching just for the simple reason, it is referenced in the note. The note is very cleverly worded, the reference wouldn't be there if it weren't important. So R.A.B. must have heard the Prophecy or heard of the Prophecy and since it was referencing the Dark Lord, so did the note. Ok, lets see...We know the Prophecy was told to Dumbledore. We know that Snape heard part of the prophecy before the barman (Alberforth?) removed him. I am going to assume the barman heard some of what Snape heard. I believe that Voldemort wouldn't want that information running around because it gives the "Dark Lord" a weakness, making him less lord-like. Now, of course, R.A.B. could have secretly over-heard Snape telling Voldemort. :hmm: But I am beginning to believe the one behind the prophecies is the same one behind the note.

There are three mysterious instances where the "Dark Lord" is used. Mysterious in that we do not really know where it came from. One is the note left in the locket, the others are the Prophecies given through Trelawney. Coincidence??

Here are some key points...
-Both the prophecies and the note refer to Voldemort as the Dark Lord.
-Both prophecies were given in the same strange voice and channeled through Trelawney.
-Prophecy 1 mentions the one who can vanquish the Dark Lord
-The note mentions the Dark Lord meeting his match
-Both Prophecy 1 and the note mention Voldemort's possible death/defeat.
-The note specifically mentions there being a long passing before Voldemort reads the note.
-Prophecy 2 specifically mentions when the Dark Lord will rise again and how.

Who is channeling through Trelawney? Most suspect that it is her Great-Grandmother, the famous seer. I believe it is someone else.

The note was addressed to The Dark Lord because:
I doubt anyone besides Dumbeldore
-knows about horcruxes
-somehow found an invisible boat
-pass a lake of dangerous Inferi
-drink the whole potion in the basin and live to read the note.

My assumption was that RAB (whoever he maybe, although I think it is Sirus' brother, but that's another matter for another day) didn't want Voldemort to know that it was gone until he needed it. That way, he would not have time to make another, because he would assume the locket was safe. If Voldemort never needed it, it would not end up mattering, but if he needed it and it wasn't there, then it would be a greater blow to Voldemort's dreams of immortality.

I face death in the hope that when you meet your match
you will be mortal once more.

What death does he think he is facing? Death from Voldemort? Everybody was already facing that...some more directly than others. If he was talking about the potion, it would have said, "I faced death..."

I agree with the starter of this thread that Voldemort would not go back to check on his Horcrux. It's possible that he would have sent a Death Eater to check on it, and the DE would bring Voldemort the note...? That really doesn't make much sense either, now that I think about it. In fact, why did RAB even bother to leave a fake locket?

In fact, why did RAB even bother to leave a fake locket?

And even more evidence to suspect there is more to this note than meets the eye. In deed, why would a note be left for Voldemort in the first place? Let's pretend it went a different way and he did go to the basin to see if his locket was still safe. Would he even bother to open the fake one? It seems that the writer of the note assumes the note will be read and has a pretty good idea of when. And the plot thickens...
Perhaps the note wasn't left by R.A.B., perhaps the note wasn't left for Voldemort.

What death does he think he is facing? Death from Voldemort? Everybody was already facing that...some more directly than others. If he was talking about the potion, it would have said, "I faced death..."

Unless he wrote it before he arrived and drank the potion. Ie...I face death getting this thing, and I face your wrath and the wrath of your allies, but I don't care because you are evil and must die.

Maybe once he "dies", he needs to come into contact with a horcrux to gain that bit of his soul. So maybe R.A.B. knew that Voldemort would find the horcrux again and discover the note, but the Order found it first.

:sigh:

I thought long and hard about this and I've probably come to the wrong conclusion ( :lol: ) but here it is...

Being that R.A.B. planned to destory the Horcrux "as soon as he could", he must not have been planning on dying right away or being killed by Voldemort. There must have been something else... Apparently, though, he died sooner than he anticipated because he never got to destroy it, assuming that the locket in Grimmauld Place is, indeed, the locket that we're now missing.

He then went on to say that he hoped that "when you meet your match you will be mortal once more" which makes me wonder...when ALL of Voldemort's Horcruxes are destroyed, will he feel something? If so, he'd almost CERTAINLY seek out at least ONE of his Horcruxes to see what's up and it'd make sense that he'd go check on Slytherin's item. This would explain the bit about him being long gone because he probably thought destroying all of Voldemort's Horcruxes would take decades.

Not sure if that's been mentioned or if it's even a possibility but, yeah, that's all I got that didn't sound ridiculously lame. :lol:

This is a bit off-topic but i havent seen this discussed anywhere, true i havent looked to deep, but the address, "to the dark lord.." seems suggestive, harry notes and asks snape in book 5 why he called voldemort the "dark lord", because ONLY the death eaters did that, so the salutation suggests, that the person who took the horcrux was a death eater, that makes the case for regulus black stronger.

I thought it was ment to show that he was a follower at one time. Dark Lord is normally used by people who have followed him at one point, or like Dobby, who grew up in households where they had respect for Voldemort. People who fear him and think that he is wrong and evil always use you-know-who or another variation. Also, I think he adressed it to Voldemort ebcause he hoped that the time would come when Voldemort had to check on them again, that someone or a group of someones would be so close to kiling him he feared the safety of it.

I thought it was ment to show that he was a follower at one time.
Both Prophecies refer to Voldemort as the dark lord, were the Prohecies told by a Death Eater. I would have to say no, but we don't really know. Anyway, Most people believe that the way the note was addressed is proof it was a Death Eater. But I don't think a DE would use that name in this context. I actually find it odd there was a note at all. The way it was addressed, the way it was left, the way it was written, the way is was signed...There is more to this note than meets the eye and I believe it relates to the Prophecies and not a Death Eater.

This note is interesting. I assume RAB thought that only Voldemort could get to the locket, or hoped that he would find it. Sort of a boasting to Voldemort that he had discovered his secret and noone would forget who destroyed/found the horcrux. Also, he might have thought that if he wasn't killed outright by destroying the horcrux, or discovering his treachery, that he might be tortured for what he had done. People tend to spill thier secrets when crucioed (if that is even a word). He may have not worked alone and thought it possible that he deeds would be related to Voldemort. I assume that any hint or rumor that someone knew about that horcrux, he would have run to check on it. Voldemort was suspicious of everyone, likely he had his eye on them all the time.

I think dark lord helps reinforce that r.a.b. is reguls

He probably addressed it to the Darkl Lord because it was his horcrux he destroyed and even if Voldemort would go back to the cave to get his horcrux, R.A.B. would still want to send on the off chance of Voldemort finding it. Besides, in the letter, R.A.B. said that he would be facing death anyways.

Or perhaps he figured that the Dark Lord, with all of his plans for imortality, would outlive him because of that?

Or, if it was Regalus, he figured he would be killed for his defection, reguardless of if voldemort knew about him taking the locket or not.

This is a bit off-topic but i havent seen this discussed anywhere, true i havent looked to deep, but the address, "to the dark lord.." seems suggestive, harry notes and asks snape in book 5 why he called voldemort the "dark lord", because ONLY the death eaters did that, so the salutation suggests, that the person who took the horcrux was a death eater, that makes the case for regulus black stronger.
Yes, I think the same.... the fact that he used this form of address "to the dard lord" means something there. I intend to believe that that person R.A.B. was indeed a DE.

But as I understand right, we aren't sure if that Horcrux was destroyed, yes? R.A.B. said that he "intend to destroy it as soon as I can". I noticed that some people believe that that Horcrux may be hidden in Grimmauld Place, well I share this belief actually... anyways, we'll see if it's a right guess soon :)

And I don't think he was sort of boasting by the fact that he found the LV secret. I think he made it clear that he hoped to help that person who would have to face Voldemort, by making LV mortal.

i think that RAB thought that the only one that could get back to the Horcrux was Voldemort so that's why it was addressed to Voldemort.

i think that RAB thought that the only one that could get back to the Horcrux was Voldemort so that's why it was addressed to Voldemort.
The thing is, if he thought Voldemort was the only one who could get there, why address it at all?...

I think that the note and its wording is important as a plot development, its left us all on a cliffhanger wondering who R.A.B is and get us thinking that it must be someone who would use the expression 'Dark Lord' etc. Some of it doesn't sit 100% right, whhy bother leaving a fake horcrux, but this could easily be explained by the fact that the replacement locket might recognisably belong to R.A.B and Harry will see a photo of someone wearing it and that person will be R.A.B or something. I think the tiny things that don't sit right, such as why leave a note, are answered by the fact that there needs to be a note in order to move the plot along and create a cliffhanger at the end of book 6.

You are making this too complicated. Imagine that the note was not addressed to the dark lord. Who would it be addressed to? RAB states that he wants the dark lord to know it was him who found out his secret. Secret implies that nobody else knows about them so there is nobody else to address the note to.

Now imagine that there was no note. Voldemort would not know who found out the secret. Harry would not have any way of finding out if the real horcrux was destroyed or who found out the secret.

The note could not have been addressed to anybody but Voldemort.

You are making this too complicated. Imagine that the note was not addressed to the dark lord. Who would it be addressed to? RAB states that he wants the dark lord to know it was him who found out his secret. Secret implies that nobody else knows about them so there is nobody else to address the note to.

Now imagine that there was no note. Voldemort would not know who found out the secret. Harry would not have any way of finding out if the real horcrux was destroyed or who found out the secret.

The note could not have been addressed to anybody but Voldemort.

But it wasn't addressed to Voldemort, it was addressed, To The Dark Lord. The note could have been left without an address, it could have been addressed to Voldemort, or it could have been addressed to Tom Riddle. I'd have to believe upon finding the fake locket, Voldemort would have tossed it into the lake and left in a rage without opening it to find the note. That's even if he is planning on checking on the Horcrux in the first place.
The key is that Harry would not be able to figure out where the real Horcrux is located had there not been a note in a fake locket. I think the address is indicating a connection with the note and the Prophecies that both refer to Voldemort as, The Dark Lord.

Do we know that his current body doesn't age?
It's a very good point, actually. But what we know about horcruxes is that they contain a piece of soul, thus the soul won't die if the body does. I don't think we can automatically assume that the body won't age either. Maybe the problem about immortality is that once you've achieved it, you need a new body every now and then...

Did I suddenly go off-topic?

Actually, I don't think having a horcrux stops the aging process. Tom Riddle made his first horcrux while he was still at Hogwarts. (The diary). Obviously it didn't stop his continuing to mature. Horcruxes merely prevent death by protecting the soul fragment from harm.

In any event, it's obvious that RAB didn't know about the multiple horcruxes LV had made. He only knew of one. That was why he stated in his note that he hopes that by destroying it he will make Voldemort mortal once more. As to why he addressed the note to the Dark Lord, well... who else would he address it to? As far as he knew, only he and Voldemort knew about the horcrux. He probably assumed that LV would have some sort of alarm system in place to tip him off if anybody tried to tamper with the locket.

Judging by the use of the term Dark Lord, and the fact that he got close enough to the Dark Lord to discover his secret, it's obvious we're dealing with a renegade Death Eater; most likely Regulus Black, who did something that got him killed by either Voldemort or his minions.

In any event, it's obvious that RAB didn't know about the multiple horcruxes LV had made. He only knew of one. That was why he stated in his note that he hopes that by destroying it he will make Voldemort mortal once more. As to why he addressed the note to the Dark Lord, well... who else would he address it to? As far as he knew, only he and Voldemort knew about the horcrux. He probably assumed that LV would have some sort of alarm system in place to tip him off if anybody tried to tamper with the locket.

There was only one Horcrux in the basin, why would the note that is apparently replacing the Horcrux discuss other Horcruxes. If he believed there was only one Horcurx and knew the secret, he wouldn't be hoping, he would know. The assumption that LV had some sort of alarm system contradicts the note. The note mentions that the thief will be dead a long time before the note is read.

Judging by the use of the term Dark Lord, and the fact that he got close enough to the Dark Lord to discover his secret, it's obvious we're dealing with a renegade Death Eater; most likely Regulus Black, who did something that got him killed by either Voldemort or his minions.

Or someone wants us to believe it is a death eater. I don't feel a death eater would use the words in this application. Death Eater's respect, worship, and fear Voldemort. The note has none of those emotions.

I had always figured that it was addressed to the dark lord because it was his horcrux. I wouldn't expect it to be written to someone else, and I feel like it should be more of an issue that there was even a note at all then why it was addressed to Voldmort.

Or someone wants us to believe it is a death eater. I don't feel a death eater would use the words in this application. Death Eater's respect, worship, and fear Voldemort. The note has none of those emotions.

Unless you're a disillusioned DE such as Regulas Black.

I suppose he assumed that one day Voldemort would return to the cave because the prophecy would be close to being fulfilled

So you think that RAB was aware of the Prophecy? :huh:

So you think that RAB was aware of the Prophecy? :huh:

If RAB is indeed Regulus Black and he was a cohort of Severus Snape (which I strongly suspect, but it all depends on who RAB turns out to be) then yes, I see no reason that RAB/Regulus wouldn't be aware of the Prophecy. Assuming RAB is Regulus and was on his way to 'doing a Snape' so far as DE loyalties go, then it is not entirely implausible that Severus knew of that and devulged the part of the Prophecy that he had heard - at that time both men were very young and inexperienced. They've already made huge mistakes just by signing their names away to the Dark Lord. They will go on to make more mistakes in the future.

I hope that made sense! :lol: I'm still a bit like this >> :relax:

But it wasn't addressed to Voldemort, it was addressed, To The Dark Lord. The note could have been left without an address, it could have been addressed to Voldemort, or it could have been addressed to Tom Riddle. I'd have to believe upon finding the fake locket, Voldemort would have tossed it into the lake and left in a rage without opening it to find the note. That's even if he is planning on checking on the Horcrux in the first place.
The key is that Harry would not be able to figure out where the real Horcrux is located had there not been a note in a fake locket. I think the address is indicating a connection with the note and the Prophecies that both refer to Voldemort as, The Dark Lord.

Saying that the note was not addressed to Voldemort is like saying a note addressed "To the President of the United States of America" is not addressed to George Bush. Saying that makes it sound like they are different people and they are not.

You are also assuming Voldemort would be stupid enough to not open the locket and that he might not check on the locket. Dumbledore actually states that the purpose of the boat that goes to the island is made so that Voldemort can check on his Horcrux so I think it is cannon that Voldemort would have eventually checked on the locket.

Dumbledore also states that the only people that have heard the prophecy are him, Harry and Snape. Are you saying that Snape took the Horcrux?

Saying that the note was not addressed to Voldemort is like saying a note addressed "To the President of the United States of America" is not addressed to George Bush. Saying that makes it sound like they are different people and they are not. The question of the thread is why was the note specifically addressed to the dark lord. Of all the names to call Voldemort, why use that one. Most claim it prooves a death eater wrote the note since only death eaters use that name. And as far as the President, it would really depend on the year the note was written.:cool:

You are also assuming Voldemort would be stupid enough to not open the locket and that he might not check on the locket. Dumbledore actually states that the purpose of the boat that goes to the island is made so that Voldemort can check on his Horcrux so I think it is cannon that Voldemort would have eventually checked on the locket. That was Dumbledore's assumption. We now know that the boat was to carry the one wizard that got that far to the island. The Protections were well designed, as Dumbledore also said afterwards. And yes, I am assuming that Voldemort wouldn't bother to see if a note was inside. In my opinion, he designed his protections so he wouldn't have to check on the Horcrux.

Dumbledore also states that the only people that have heard the prophecy are him, Harry and Snape. Are you saying that Snape took the Horcrux? No. But I am sure that Snape shared this information with Voldemort. It is possible that someone overheard the passed-on information.

I am suggesting that the Prophecies and the Note are somehow connected due to the use of, "The Dark Lord." Perhaps the one who created the note knows part of the prophecy or perhaps the one who created the note channeled the prophecy through Trelawney.